Ok I have a 97 dse and I like it but it needs constant attention and to my mind looks very bland. I have always admired the classic RR having owned a 3.9 vogue. I find the p38 underpowered,even though it has a tuning box fitted. Its very thirsty for all the performance you get. I also have a 300tdi discovery pick-up that I made myself. It's no flying machine but it is solid , reliable ,powerful and reasonably economical. So my question is this is a 300tdi classic the best all round range rover? For economy reliability performance and driving pleasure ? I have no interest in petrol models at all and don't even feature here.
Classic 300tdi vs p38 2.5 DSE
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Datatek
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Sounds like your P38 has a problem. I don't call 24 to 30mpg uneconomical and the performance is not that bad as standard and with a power box it should fly, mine did.
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I LOVE my P38.....
but
I had more fun in my Classic....not having to worry about repair bills, complicated electrickery etc...
I would go for a 200TDi or an early 300TDi, I know it is less refined but also a lot less electrical systems on it too....
but
I had more fun in my Classic....not having to worry about repair bills, complicated electrickery etc...
I would go for a 200TDi or an early 300TDi, I know it is less refined but also a lot less electrical systems on it too....
eightinavee
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The 200TDI hard dash was the best of the lot,a real honest and hard working truck.The 300TDI is good too,but I didnt like the soft dash layout.
But both good trucks - I'd have kept both if it were not for the rust.
Thinking about it,I bought back the 200,with 232.000m on it for the engine to go in my old series II leafer.Engine is fine,body is shot....
But both good trucks - I'd have kept both if it were not for the rust.
Thinking about it,I bought back the 200,with 232.000m on it for the engine to go in my old series II leafer.Engine is fine,body is shot....
I'd say "yes" to your question. If I could have found a decent 300Tdi Classic for the money I would have got one. I the end I found a good V8 on LPG instead.
The 300Tdi Classic is quicker and more economical than the 300Tdi Disco, as the body is a lot lighter. The 200Tdi may be slightly more reliable but I wouldn't say the 300 is unreliable, far from it - and from what I hear, it is considerably more refind.
Coming from a P38 I'd look for a soft dash 300Tdi Classic, personally.
The 300Tdi Classic is quicker and more economical than the 300Tdi Disco, as the body is a lot lighter. The 200Tdi may be slightly more reliable but I wouldn't say the 300 is unreliable, far from it - and from what I hear, it is considerably more refind.
Coming from a P38 I'd look for a soft dash 300Tdi Classic, personally.
dean68uk
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If only the Classic was as rust free as the P38! P38 body with classic running gear maybe!
enery8
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Must admit, although I love my P38, I have considered selling it and buying a Classic with a 300TDi.
Not all Classics are rotten - the chassis on mine is as solid as any P38!
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There is no comparison the P38 is far superior in every respect. If you have a P38 that you consider not as good or as powerful as a 200/300 TDI you have a very sick P38 indeed.
Pikey
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Extra 25BHP over a 300tdi.. but carrying more weight so a bit better but not a massive gain.
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The 300 TDI is a tractor by comparison. It's like comparing a 100e Ford Pop to a Cortina.
I wouldn't necessarily agree with that! The P38 was certainly a step on in terms of packaging (interior space), ride and handling, but I prefer the Classic's styling and I would argue that they are, on the whole, more reliable.
Also, there's no noticeable performance difference between my 3.9 V8 Classic and my bosses 4.0 V8 P38...not sure on the diesel front!
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Thats because it is the same engine...same Capacity, same everything, maybe a fuelling tweak...but the 3.9 and the 4.0 have the same displacement. IIRC
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There won't be, they have the same engine. On the diesel front the M51 is a far more refined engine than the 300 TDI. The M51 has 136BHP as standard which can be increased to 165 BHP with a simple chip, as opposed to 111 bhp of the 300 TDI that you can't do a lot with. This along with other improvements makes the P38 a much better car to drive in everyway. Body styling is personal preference, i prefer the P38 styling over the classic which is very dated now. But each to their own on that one.
Did they just lie and call it a 4.0 to try and make it sound a bit better than the Classic?
wammers - I agree some Classics look dated, but I think the later ones are just pure class and will never truly age! An early, base model P38 on the other looks ropey as hell. Having said that, the top-end later model P38's also look very nice still
wammers - I agree some Classics look dated, but I think the later ones are just pure class and will never truly age! An early, base model P38 on the other looks ropey as hell. Having said that, the top-end later model P38's also look very nice still
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Did they just lie and call it a 4.0 to try and make it sound a bit better than the Classic?
wammers - I agree some Classics look dated, but I think the later ones are just pure class and will never truly age! An early, base model P38 on the other looks ropey as hell. Having said that, the top-end later model P38's also look very nice still
They did, it's the same engine. I have never seen any classic that looks a good as my 1999 DSE, but that's me. For those who would rather drive a Classic 300 TDI than a M51 P38 well that's just pure silly. They are like chalk and cheese. The P38 is a far superior drive.
Pikey
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Assuming ya like RR's.Personally I've driven a dse p38 auto and hated it. Couldn't wait to get back into me disco..
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StuckAgainSteve
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I don't get it either, my Classic 3.9 Vogue SE EFi was two years old when I bought it - my 12 year old P38 knocks it into a cocked-hat when it comes to the driving experience, not even close. I had far more niggly problems with the relatively new classic as well, motorway fuel consumption is 5-7 mpg better too. (Thor 4.6 vs old 3.9!)
dean68uk
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Having gone from a 300TDI Disco to a P38 DSE I can say there is no comparison. Disco was a tractor and I have seen less rust on the Titanic.
